Definition

1. Verb (Theatrical Term):

   • To prompt (an actor): To discreetly remind an actor of their forgotten lines or cues during a live theatrical performance. This action is done from off-stage, typically in a low voice, to assist the performer without the audience noticing.

2. Noun (Theatrical Role):

   • The prompter: The person whose job is to follow the script and prompt the actors if they forget their lines. This role is traditionally located in the prompter's box at the front of the stage.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Đạo diễn phải nhắc vở cho diễn viên mới trong buổi diễn đầu tiên. (The director had to prompt the new actor during the first performance.)
  • Anh ấy quên lời thoại và cần được nhắc vở. (He forgot his line and needed to be prompted.)

• Noun (referring to the person):

  • Người nhắc vở ngồi trong hố sân khấu. (The prompter sits in the stage box.)
  • Công việc của một người nhắc vở đòi hỏi sự tập trung cao độ. (The job of a prompter requires intense concentration.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is specific to the context of theater and live dramatic performance. It is not used for general reminding or cueing in other contexts like film or television, where retakes are possible.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhắc tuồng (v/n): A less common, synonymous term also meaning to prompt or a prompter, historically used more for traditional Vietnamese theater forms like .

Synonyms

• Prompt: To assist an actor by supplying forgotten words.
• Feed a line: (Informal) To give an actor their next line.

Related Idioms

• While there are no direct idioms with "nhắc vở," the concept is related to the theatrical idiom "to save the scene," which is what a good prompter does.

1. (sân khấu) Prompt (an actor)
   • Người nhắc vở
     A prompter